The Maine Dish
Woot! Opening 2/15: Bueno Loco Restaurante serving Yucatan-style Mexican food
It takes a lot of courage to open a restaurant in the middle of the winter in Maine. More so if it’s your first restaurant. But after a quiet soft opening, Bueno Loco Restaurante will open its doors to the Portland area on Tuesday, Feb. 5. I’m hoping to make it down there next week because I gotta tell you: I’m pretty excited about this place.
When I called owner Sharon Stark today, I honestly expected to hear about a menu I’d probably seen at every other Mexican restaurant I’ve ever been to, but man was I wrong. Their website lists some pretty unique and ambitious dishes. Stark described the approach as, “‘Mayan Mexican,’ less focused on standard Tex-Mex fare and spotlighting instead the dishes of the Yucatan peninsula.”
Fear not, there are certainly plenty of Tex-Mex items like nachos and burritos, but Chef Oleg Opalnyk’s menu shows some real promise. I drooled on my keyboard when I read the description of their Fish Salbutes appetizer: “Three grilled wheat tortillas layered with blackened salmon and spicy tomato sauce then garnished with avocado, cilantro, radish and cotija cheese.” $10? I’ll take three! Stark’s commitment to using as many locally-sourced ingredients as possible seals the deal.
There are a number of other menu standouts, and believe me when I say this menu was carefully crafted. It’s loaded with tons of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. I checked out the kids menu too, and for $6 you can stuff your little chachos full of food while you sip one of their infused tequila drinks and unique Margaritas.
Have you been? Let us know about it in the comments!
Photo via Bueno Loco on Facebook
Falmouth, ME 04105
tel: 207-619-7057
Hours:
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// About the Author
Erin Dow
Erin Dow is a caterer who used to cook for rock stars. Now she finds herself desperately trying to persuade her three kids to just try one bite of what she made for dinner. She's the Expert Chef for Maine-based Guiding Stars® and she consults with the state's public schools on how to serve healthy whole foods that kids will actually eat. And when Erin’s not researching, preparing, serving, photographing, teaching, or writing about food, you’ll probably find her in a restaurant eating a meal cooked by someone else. So she just might be the girl you need to know if you're looking for recommendations, advice, or insight into Maine's food scene. She's also very knowledgeable about firearms, in case you were wondering if she's a real Mainer.